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grading compenies.

ther are some grading compines i've never even heard of can anyone post a list of ALL the grading compines they know.
ok mabe this is a stupid queston but i'll ask it anaway.
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,515 ✭✭✭
    The following is a list of all real grading companies:

    PCGS
    NGC
    ANACS

    Russ, NCNE
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    ok that was a stupid question!


    imageimage
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    << <i>The following is a list of all real grading companies:

    PCGS
    NGC
    ANACS

    Russ, NCNE >>



    i like NGC


    imageimage
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    Buy conder101 books. More about a bunch of slabbing companies than you'll ever need to know... image
    -George
    42/92
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    ACG - Accugrade
    ANACS - American Numismatic Association Coin Service
    NGC - Numismatic Guarantee Corporation
    NTC - Numismatic Trust Corporation
    PCGS - Professional Coin Grading Service
    PCI - Professional Coin Institute
    SEGS - ?? ?? Grading Service
    Author of MrKelso's official cheat thread words of wisdom on 5/30/04. image
    imageimage
    Check out a Vanguard Roth IRA.
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    nOoBiEeEnOoBiEeE Posts: 1,011 ✭✭
    Never stupid question..

    That I trust:
    NGC
    PCGS
    ANACS
    SEGS

    That I heard of:
    PCI
    NTC
    ACG - Accugrade *cough

    This site may give you a better perspective of how they compare to each other..
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,515 ✭✭✭


    << <i>ACG - Accugrade
    ANACS - American Numismatic Association Coin Service
    NGC - Numismatic Guarantee Corporation
    NTC - Numismatic Trust Corporation
    PCGS - Professional Coin Grading Service
    PCI - Professional Coin Institute
    SEGS - ?? ?? Grading Service >>



    You only got about half of them wrong. image

    Russ, NCNE
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    ICG POGS


    imageimage
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    Okay Russ, you smartass, this site explains the major grading services:

    ANACS American Numismatic Association Certification Service
    ACG ASA - AccuGrade
    DCGS Digital Coin Grading Service
    ICG Independent Coin Grading
    NGC Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
    NTC NumisTrust Corporation
    PCGS Professional Coin Grading Service
    PCI Photo-Certified Coin Institute
    SEGS Sovereign Entities Grading Service
    TGS TruGrade Service
    Author of MrKelso's official cheat thread words of wisdom on 5/30/04. image
    imageimage
    Check out a Vanguard Roth IRA.
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,515 ✭✭✭
    Much better. image

    Russ, NCNE
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    Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536
    You had to ask.

    The most recently updated list. 107 companies. A few of these may eventually be delisted.

    A-Mark A California coin company that has been around since at least the 1960's. In the mid 1970's they formed an alliance with several other firms to form Paramount corp.

    ACCS (Ancient Coin Certification Service) This is a service created by Roman coin expert David R Sear.

    ACCUGRADE also known as ACG or ASA-ACCUGRADE. Owned by Alan Hagar. Founded in 1984

    ACGS (American Coin Grading Service) One of the newest grading services, this one first turned up in mid March 2002.

    ACGS (Australian Coin Grading Service) Australian based grading service

    AGA (American Grading Association) Old company but first seen September 2001.

    AGS (Advanced Grading Specialists). Apparently another private company, quite possibly a single dealer.

    AGS (American Grading Service.) First saw this companies slab in September 2000. It is out of East Meadow New York

    ANAAB (American Numismatic Association Authentication Bureau) Service begun by ANA about seven months after sale of ANACS in 1990.

    ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service) The first company to authenticate coins professionally. Begun by the ANA in 1972, grading did not start until March 1979 for US coins and Non-US in 1987. Slabs were not used until 1988 or 1990

    ANICS (American Numismatic Institute Certification Service) Active in 1987 to 1989

    ARC (American Rare Coin and Collectors Inc) Active in 1986 and 1987

    ASA (Accugrade Sports Authentication.) This company was first brought to my attention in March of 2001. Yes this company did slab coins.

    BLANCHARD An "in house" slabbing service by Blanchard Co.

    CCGS (Company name unknown) First seen 8/02 From the style of the slab and its label it is clear that this company is somehow connected with Distinctive Coin Grading Service/NSCGS.

    CGA (Currency Grading Association) Included here for completeness because they “slab” a numismatic item.

    CGC (Currency Grading & Certification) A new firm that began operations in late 2001 or early 2002. Like CGA they only certify and grade currency but their holders are rigid and of the same acrylic plastic that several of the coin slabbing services use.

    CGCGS (Certi-Graded Coin Grading Service) First seen November 2000.

    Coinland (Coinland.com) This company produced a sample slab that was distributed at the 2002 ANA Convention. No production slabs

    COMPUGRADE New Orleans based research and development firm begun by Jim Diffenthal that planned to slab computer graded coins. They planned to be in operation by late 1991.

    CTGS (Coin and Token Grading Service) Begun in 1993 in Denver CO strictly as a service that specialized in the grading of tokens.

    DCGS (Digital Coin Grading Service) Debuted in June of 2001.

    DCGS (Distinctive Coin Grading Service) Formed in early 2002 but when they learned that Digital Coin Grading Service existed they changed their name. I have seen just two slabs with this name. The company then became CCGS and then NSCGS

    EAC (Early American Coppers) In 1984 and 1985 the Early American Coppers club formed a committee to grade half cents and large cents submitted by their members and others.

    FCS (Federal Certification Service) This is an old company. Unfortunately I have never heard of it before and all I have are examples of its product

    FTGS (First Token Grading Service) First seen in April 2001 this company seems to specialize in grading just tokens

    GCS (Global Certification Service) A new company that planned to begin operation at the 2001 fall ANA convention. Operations began in November 2001. The company is based in Lexington Kentucky.

    GLGS Reported. Have seen one scan.

    GSA (General Services Administration) Arguably the first group to "slab" coins. During the period when the GSA was processing the 3.4 million silver dollars from the Treasury hoard they separated them into four different groups. Each of these groups was placed into a different style of holder. These are found in one pliofilm and three types of hard plastic slabs. All holdered in approximately 1972.

    HALLMARK Grading service founded in Woburn MA by Q David Bowers and Lee Bellisario in 1987.

    HOLT (T J Holt company) Apparently after NCI closed down they sold off the remainder of their slab shells to a private company which then slabbed their own coins.
    ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) They appear to mostly certify Canadian coins, at least I've have seen only one non-Canadian coin in an ICCS holder.

    ICG (Independent Coin Grading) New company started late 1998 (By some of the most respected numismatists in the business.) with the first coins being slabbed on Dec 12th of that year.

    ICGS (International Coin Grading Service) Seems to be another old service from back around 1986. ICGS was based in Hong Kong

    ICI (International Coin Investments) Reported to me in May 2001. All I know is it was based in Minneapolis, MN.

    IGA (Independant Grading Association) First seen November 2000. IGA was based in Atlanta, GA and was active in the mid to late 80's

    IGS (Independent Grading Service) Scan seen for the first time January 2001.

    INC (Independant Numismatic Certification) Not a true grading service. This is a dealer who has begun using sonicly sealed slabs in order to prevent coin switching on items sent out for mail order purchases.

    INGS (International Numismatic Grading Service) Based in Philadelphia PA this company was active in the mid 1980's.

    INL (Independent Numismatic Laboratory) In general style it is very similar to FCS and it may be the same company but under a previous name

    INS (International Numismatic Society Authentication Bureau) Little known service based in Washington DC. Active beginning in the mid 70's it specialized in Non-US coins at a time when only ANACS would certify Non-US coins and no one else would grade them. INS actually began grading coins before ANACS making it the first grading firm. Once they began grading the number of US coins submitted rose greatly and the number of “international” coins dropped to a miniscule percentage of those submitted. This company had a very low profile and most people didn’t know it existed even while they were in operation.. They used a certificate back in the 70's and 80's. They announced in Jan 1989 that they would start using slabs Jan 27th 1989.

    IRI (Investment Rarities Incorporated) This company has been around since at least the late 70's. During the early to mid 80's they began sealing Unc gold coins in holders and selling them to investors as an “improved” way of buying gold coins because the grade and authenticity were guaranteed.

    LCG (Laser Coin Grading) Only the one variety seen. The seller claimed that the company uses a laser and a computer to grade the coin but I couldn’t get any more information about the company.
    MCGC (Modern Coin Grading Company) A new company first brought to my attention in mid Feb 2001. This company was created specificly to grade and slab coins issued since 1964. The company probably went out of business shortly thereafter since they have not updated their website since March of 2001.

    MonExpert (MonExpert Grading Service) A new start up service first noticed in May of 2002. Located in upstate New York

    MTB (Mantra, Tordella & Brookes Inc) Another “in house” grading firm, MTB produced a series of slabs during the 1986-87 era in order to have certified coins for their investors.

    NCCA (National Coin Certification Association?) I'm not sure what the initials actually stand for. All I know of this company is that it exists or at least existed. (4/01) I do not own one of their slabs and have only seen one scan of a slab that was sent to me by E-mail. (Have since had a second piece described to me by a dealer. He didn’t know the company name but his description matches NCCA. He said they used to advertise fairly heavily in Coin World but I do not recall them.) I now have several examples from this company, all #2.

    NCG (Numismatic Coin Grading Service) They were based in Cordova TN but their submission address is in Memphis TN. Although their web site was last updated in June of 2000, their E-mail address does not work

    NCG (Company name not known) Private company beginning to certify coins under their own name. He caught so much flak over his NCG initials for the firm that he dropped the whole project and never sent out any of the slabs. So theoretically this companies slabs are not available and now only exist as the plate in this book.

    NCI (Numismatic Certification Institute) Started by Heritage Rare Coin Gallery in 1984. (Some sources say 1986, Jim Halprin in the NCI grading guide says 1985

    NCS (Numismatic Curation Service) A division of NGC this company provides professional curation/preservation services.

    NECA (Numismatic Error Collectors of America) This was a national club. It later merged with Collectors of Numismatic Errors to form the current CONECA. In the mid sixties when a rash of counterfeit errors entered the market they began certifying error coins. The earliest certified coins yet seen.

    NES (Numismatic Evaluation Service) A photo-certificate company, which holds the distinction of being the shortest lived of all the grading services. NES came into existence at the spring Long Beach show in Feb 1986. Unfortunately for them, this was the same show at which PCGS debuted. PCGS was offering free slabbing at that show as a come-on and the principals of NES realized that their certificate could not compete with the plastic slabs so they closed their doors at the end of the show and never re-opened. The company lasted a grand total of four days.

    NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America) Incorporated in 1987

    NIC (Company name unknown) Found at the 2002 Indiana State show. Probably a private dealer but the coins do have a “serial” number of sorts

    NNCS (National Numismatic Certification Service) I know nothing about this service other than that it was reported to me to have been located in Marlboro, Massachusetts and produced a rectangular slab beginning in 1986

    NSCGS (New Standard Coin Grading Service) This company was originally DCGS (distinctive) but when they learned of Digital Coin Grading Service they decided to change their name first to CCGS and then apparently almost immediately to NSCGS

    NTC (NumisTrust Corporation) This company seems to have come into existence in May of 2001. (Formed May 1st) Owned by Rare Island Coins

    NUMEX (Numex&#61652image This appears to be yet another third party service based on a license from ACG for the shells. Dates of operation unknown, first seen June of 2002.

    Paramount (Redfield Dollars) After LaVere Redfield died in 1974 his hoard of over 400,000 silver dollars was purchased in Feb 1976 by Steve Markoff of A-Mark in a courtroom auction for 7.3 million dollars, the largest numismatic purchase ever up to that time. (Hardly a fair auction though as Markoff knew in detail what the hoard contained while the other bidders did not.) As part of the group chosen to market the dollars by A-Mark, Paramount had the dollars graded and sealed into 3 X 3 ½ inch holders. These come in three types. In addition Paramount also included some of their regular stock dollars and enclosed them in the same style holders but these do not refer to the Redfield collection.

    PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)

    PCI (Photo-Certified Coin Institute)

    PCS (Preferred Coin Grading Service) I have seen two slabs from this company and I am assuming that it is the same PCS that I have listed in the Miscellaneous section.

    PHOTO-SEAL Service begun by Richard Snow it was actually isn’t so much of a grading service for the coins as it is a confirmation service that examines the slab

    PNG (Professional Numismatic Guild) Shortly before ANACS came into existence the PNG began issuing Certificates of Authenticity (and grade?) upon request for coins valued at $200 or more.

    PNGL (Professional Numismatic Grading Laboratories) Have seen scans of five so far. This company appears to have been active in the mid to late eighties

    PPGS (Peoples Professional Grading Service) New service apparently begun in 2002

    RCGS (Rare Currency Grading Service) A new company that began operations in June of 2002. I have seen one example of their certificate.

    S&G (S & G Rare Coins of Florida) Not a true slabbing service. This company took advantage of a recent offer by ACG to slab any ones coins in a private label at the owners grade with no responsibility as to grade or authenticity.

    SEGS (Sovereign Entities Grading Service They started back in 1998. In late 2001 SEGS relocated in Chattanooga TN.

    SILVERTOWNE Certificate issued by Leon Hendrickson’s company in Winchester IN. Silvertowne did these in 1986 - 1988 but stopped after John Hunter left the firm

    TCGS (Twenty-first Century Grading Service) Begun in late 2001.

    TCTS (Tom’s Coins Technical Services) Owned by Tom’s Coins. The parent firm opened in 1975 and began slabbing coins, both on their own account and for others, in 1999. This was creating a conflict of interest so in November of 2000 TCTS stopped certifying coins for the general public

    TMM (The Merrick Mint) First seen in November of 2002 this is most likely yet another dealership merely slabbing their own coins to prevent mail order switching but the slabs are graded, serial numbered and barcoded.

    TULVING (Hannes Tulving) Private firm from Newport Beach CA.

    UNKNOWN. Was shown this certificate in May of 2002. I have no idea what the company was but I suspect it is related to FCS due to similarity in photo qulaity and layout.

    USGCO (United States Grading Company) Seen for the first time November 2000

    USGCS (U. S. Grading and Certification Service) Another old company, probably from the 1986 to 1989 era. Possibly associated somehow with the old Paramount Stamp and Coin company as all the pieces seen so far have been registered to them

    USRCCT (U S Rare Coin Certification & Trading Co Inc.) Well that has to be the longest name of any of the services. I have been told that this is a fairly new service but I have my reasons for believing that it is an older one

    USTI (United States Tangible Investment Corp) This slab, from the values printed on them, was apparently active at the height of the market in 1989. Website has not been updated since April 2000.

    WCG (World Class Grading) Originally a sports card grading firm, they saw a chance to cash in on the 9-11 disaster among other novelties. The company only slabs and “grades” colorized coins.

    WCGS (World Coin Guarantee Service) As of yet I have no idea when this company was in business or its location of operation.

    Webcoinage (Webcoinage.com) Not truly a slabbing service but rather a company which has gone to slabbing coins sent out as mail order purchases in order to prevent coin switching.


    Those are all extracted from the book. Since then I have also turned up.

    ACCGS American Coin Club Grading Service

    AGI American Grading Institute

    CCGS Canadian Currency Grading Service

    CCGS Capital Coin Grading Service

    CGI Currency Grading Institute

    CSA Coin Slab Authentications

    CSGI Coin & Stamp Grading Institute

    JNDA Japanese Numismatic Dealers Association

    MM Merrick Mint

    NNC National Numismatic Certifications

    PCC Premier Certified Coins

    PCG Professional Currency Grading

    PCGA Prestige Coin Grading Association

    PCGA Professional Coin Grading Association

    TMM The Morgan Mint

    TruGrade TruGrade

    SAGCE South African Gold Coin Exchange

    SDGS Silver Dollar Grading Service

    SGS Star Grading Service

    USGS United States Grading Service

    USNS Unite States Numismatic Service

    VSS Variety Slabbing Service

    WCCS World Coin Certification Services

    WMP company name unknown

    WWCS World Wide Coin Grading


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    roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sakes alive, any one seeing Condor's list would think the hobby is one big con. Holy schmokes.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
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    Dennis88Dennis88 Posts: 5,797 ✭✭✭
    Now that's a long listimage

    Dennisimage
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    Anybody seen a Hallmark slab recently ?

    Proof
    image
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    gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Up from the deadimage
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    mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    I recently ordered Conder101s slab book and expect it will arrive next week. Looks like I have a lot to learn.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
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    KentuckyJKentuckyJ Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭

    PMG - Paper Money Guaranty

    If you're counting CGA and the other currency slabs you'll need to add PMG to the list. PMG is the new currency grader owned by NGC.

    KJ

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    Purple73Purple73 Posts: 2,016
    Hey! He forgot TWODOGS slabbing service!


    Crap-U-Slab!


    PURPLE!
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    TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,042 ✭✭✭
    This thread was lost, but Dollar Dude saves the day!!

    TorinoCobra71

    image
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    pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    A rather good question, as it turns out. I hadn't noticed the original thread and posts' dates at first, and was wondering where ICG was. I wonder if it would make the top four nowimage
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
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    robertprrobertpr Posts: 6,862 ✭✭✭
    ttt
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    MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777
    Sakes alive, any one seeing Condor's list would think the hobby is one big con. Holy schmokes.

    A lot of the hobby is..... image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    Conder101...

    I have a new one for you..........United Numismatic Certification

    image
    Joe
    CONECA #N-3446
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    crap-U-slab
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    MrSpudMrSpud Posts: 4,498 ✭✭✭
    Billybob's Grading Service and Tax Accounting image
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    I know this is a reserection of an old thread, but this is still a problem on ebay. Sellers have begun listing the "not allowed" slabs again. I even reported a seller who was using coinfacts.com 1922 Peace Dollar proof picture to sell it as just a 1922 Peace Dollar, and he had one bid.
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    fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    DGS is now out there too. David Lawrence's grading service Dominion Grading Service.

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

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    Is it possible for Conder 101 to update his 1984 list for us? Or maybe someone else can update it

    Thanks
    Collecting eye-appealing Proof and MS Indian Head Cents, 1858 Flying Eagle and IHC patterns and beautiful toned coins.

    “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
    Newmismatist
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    19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,484 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Is it possible for Conder 101 to update his 1984 list for us? Or maybe someone else can update it

    Thanks >>



    No.

    Only Conder can update it and that userid has been banned. Someone could copy the contents and add to it though.
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
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    STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    ....and can he finally learn how to spell the word "Company" correctly.

    The spellings of "compenies" and "compines" are not words image
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    << <i>

    << <i>Is it possible for Conder 101 to update his 1984 list for us? Or maybe someone else can update it

    Thanks >>



    No.

    Only Conder can update it and that userid has been banned. Someone could copy the contents and add to it though. >>



    Conder's Banned!! image

    Well - can someone (or perhaps many "ones" ) update his list - it can be copied and added to -
    Collecting eye-appealing Proof and MS Indian Head Cents, 1858 Flying Eagle and IHC patterns and beautiful toned coins.

    “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
    Newmismatist
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,603 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Can't forget CSGS = Counterfeit Slab Grading Service out of China.

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    TequilaDaveTequilaDave Posts: 271 ✭✭✭
    I'm breathing life back into this old thread! I'm wondering about a company listed here called "USGCS" that is associated with Paramount coin and stamp. Does anyone have any opinions on how accurate this so-called grading company is?
    TIA
    Dave
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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 45,605 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Am I the only one that got halfway through this thread before they realized this thread is 5 years old?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.

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    CoinCrazyPACoinCrazyPA Posts: 2,899 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Am I the only one that got halfway through this thread before they realized this thread is 5 years old? >>



    Nope me too!
    Positive BST transactions: agentjim007, cohodk, CharlieC, Chrischampeon, DRG, 3 x delistamps, djdilliodon, gmherps13, jmski52, Meltdown, Mesquite, 2 x nibanny, themaster, 2 x segoja, Timbuk3, ve3rules, jom, Blackhawk, hchcoin, Relaxn, pitboss, blu62vette, Jfoot13, Jinx86, jfoot13,Ronb

    Successful Trades: Swampboy,
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    mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Am I the only one that got halfway through this thread before they realized this thread is 5 years old? >>



    Nope me too! >>



    Me too!


    It is really too bad ICG did not continue with the fine service the company had at its start. Seems now, nobody much bothers with it.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
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    YogiBerraFanYogiBerraFan Posts: 2,390 ✭✭


    << <i>Am I the only one that got halfway through this thread before they realized this thread is 5 years old? >>



    Me too image
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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,696 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>You had to ask.

    The most recently updated list. 107 companies. A few of these may eventually be delisted.

    A-Mark A California coin company that has been around since at least the 1960's. In the mid 1970's they formed an alliance with several other firms to form Paramount corp.

    ACCS (Ancient Coin Certification Service) This is a service created by Roman coin expert David R Sear.

    ACCUGRADE also known as ACG or ASA-ACCUGRADE. Owned by Alan Hagar. Founded in 1984

    ACGS (American Coin Grading Service) One of the newest grading services, this one first turned up in mid March 2002.

    ACGS (Australian Coin Grading Service) Australian based grading service

    AGA (American Grading Association) Old company but first seen September 2001.

    AGS (Advanced Grading Specialists). Apparently another private company, quite possibly a single dealer.

    AGS (American Grading Service.) First saw this companies slab in September 2000. It is out of East Meadow New York

    ANAAB (American Numismatic Association Authentication Bureau) Service begun by ANA about seven months after sale of ANACS in 1990.

    ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service) The first company to authenticate coins professionally. Begun by the ANA in 1972, grading did not start until March 1979 for US coins and Non-US in 1987. Slabs were not used until 1988 or 1990

    ANICS (American Numismatic Institute Certification Service) Active in 1987 to 1989

    ARC (American Rare Coin and Collectors Inc) Active in 1986 and 1987

    ASA (Accugrade Sports Authentication.) This company was first brought to my attention in March of 2001. Yes this company did slab coins.

    BLANCHARD An "in house" slabbing service by Blanchard Co.

    CCGS (Company name unknown) First seen 8/02 From the style of the slab and its label it is clear that this company is somehow connected with Distinctive Coin Grading Service/NSCGS.

    CGA (Currency Grading Association) Included here for completeness because they “slab” a numismatic item.

    CGC (Currency Grading & Certification) A new firm that began operations in late 2001 or early 2002. Like CGA they only certify and grade currency but their holders are rigid and of the same acrylic plastic that several of the coin slabbing services use.

    CGCGS (Certi-Graded Coin Grading Service) First seen November 2000.

    Coinland (Coinland.com) This company produced a sample slab that was distributed at the 2002 ANA Convention. No production slabs

    COMPUGRADE New Orleans based research and development firm begun by Jim Diffenthal that planned to slab computer graded coins. They planned to be in operation by late 1991.

    CTGS (Coin and Token Grading Service) Begun in 1993 in Denver CO strictly as a service that specialized in the grading of tokens.

    DCGS (Digital Coin Grading Service) Debuted in June of 2001.

    DCGS (Distinctive Coin Grading Service) Formed in early 2002 but when they learned that Digital Coin Grading Service existed they changed their name. I have seen just two slabs with this name. The company then became CCGS and then NSCGS

    EAC (Early American Coppers) In 1984 and 1985 the Early American Coppers club formed a committee to grade half cents and large cents submitted by their members and others.

    FCS (Federal Certification Service) This is an old company. Unfortunately I have never heard of it before and all I have are examples of its product

    FTGS (First Token Grading Service) First seen in April 2001 this company seems to specialize in grading just tokens

    GCS (Global Certification Service) A new company that planned to begin operation at the 2001 fall ANA convention. Operations began in November 2001. The company is based in Lexington Kentucky.

    GLGS Reported. Have seen one scan.

    GSA (General Services Administration) Arguably the first group to "slab" coins. During the period when the GSA was processing the 3.4 million silver dollars from the Treasury hoard they separated them into four different groups. Each of these groups was placed into a different style of holder. These are found in one pliofilm and three types of hard plastic slabs. All holdered in approximately 1972.

    HALLMARK Grading service founded in Woburn MA by Q David Bowers and Lee Bellisario in 1987.

    HOLT (T J Holt company) Apparently after NCI closed down they sold off the remainder of their slab shells to a private company which then slabbed their own coins.
    ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) They appear to mostly certify Canadian coins, at least I've have seen only one non-Canadian coin in an ICCS holder.

    ICG (Independent Coin Grading) New company started late 1998 (By some of the most respected numismatists in the business.) with the first coins being slabbed on Dec 12th of that year.

    ICGS (International Coin Grading Service) Seems to be another old service from back around 1986. ICGS was based in Hong Kong

    ICI (International Coin Investments) Reported to me in May 2001. All I know is it was based in Minneapolis, MN.

    IGA (Independant Grading Association) First seen November 2000. IGA was based in Atlanta, GA and was active in the mid to late 80's

    IGS (Independent Grading Service) Scan seen for the first time January 2001.

    INC (Independant Numismatic Certification) Not a true grading service. This is a dealer who has begun using sonicly sealed slabs in order to prevent coin switching on items sent out for mail order purchases.

    INGS (International Numismatic Grading Service) Based in Philadelphia PA this company was active in the mid 1980's.

    INL (Independent Numismatic Laboratory) In general style it is very similar to FCS and it may be the same company but under a previous name

    INS (International Numismatic Society Authentication Bureau) Little known service based in Washington DC. Active beginning in the mid 70's it specialized in Non-US coins at a time when only ANACS would certify Non-US coins and no one else would grade them. INS actually began grading coins before ANACS making it the first grading firm. Once they began grading the number of US coins submitted rose greatly and the number of “international” coins dropped to a miniscule percentage of those submitted. This company had a very low profile and most people didn’t know it existed even while they were in operation.. They used a certificate back in the 70's and 80's. They announced in Jan 1989 that they would start using slabs Jan 27th 1989.

    IRI (Investment Rarities Incorporated) This company has been around since at least the late 70's. During the early to mid 80's they began sealing Unc gold coins in holders and selling them to investors as an “improved” way of buying gold coins because the grade and authenticity were guaranteed.

    LCG (Laser Coin Grading) Only the one variety seen. The seller claimed that the company uses a laser and a computer to grade the coin but I couldn’t get any more information about the company.
    MCGC (Modern Coin Grading Company) A new company first brought to my attention in mid Feb 2001. This company was created specificly to grade and slab coins issued since 1964. The company probably went out of business shortly thereafter since they have not updated their website since March of 2001.

    MonExpert (MonExpert Grading Service) A new start up service first noticed in May of 2002. Located in upstate New York

    MTB (Mantra, Tordella & Brookes Inc) Another “in house” grading firm, MTB produced a series of slabs during the 1986-87 era in order to have certified coins for their investors.

    NCCA (National Coin Certification Association?) I'm not sure what the initials actually stand for. All I know of this company is that it exists or at least existed. (4/01) I do not own one of their slabs and have only seen one scan of a slab that was sent to me by E-mail. (Have since had a second piece described to me by a dealer. He didn’t know the company name but his description matches NCCA. He said they used to advertise fairly heavily in Coin World but I do not recall them.) I now have several examples from this company, all #2.

    NCG (Numismatic Coin Grading Service) They were based in Cordova TN but their submission address is in Memphis TN. Although their web site was last updated in June of 2000, their E-mail address does not work

    NCG (Company name not known) Private company beginning to certify coins under their own name. He caught so much flak over his NCG initials for the firm that he dropped the whole project and never sent out any of the slabs. So theoretically this companies slabs are not available and now only exist as the plate in this book.

    NCI (Numismatic Certification Institute) Started by Heritage Rare Coin Gallery in 1984. (Some sources say 1986, Jim Halprin in the NCI grading guide says 1985

    NCS (Numismatic Curation Service) A division of NGC this company provides professional curation/preservation services.

    NECA (Numismatic Error Collectors of America) This was a national club. It later merged with Collectors of Numismatic Errors to form the current CONECA. In the mid sixties when a rash of counterfeit errors entered the market they began certifying error coins. The earliest certified coins yet seen.

    NES (Numismatic Evaluation Service) A photo-certificate company, which holds the distinction of being the shortest lived of all the grading services. NES came into existence at the spring Long Beach show in Feb 1986. Unfortunately for them, this was the same show at which PCGS debuted. PCGS was offering free slabbing at that show as a come-on and the principals of NES realized that their certificate could not compete with the plastic slabs so they closed their doors at the end of the show and never re-opened. The company lasted a grand total of four days.

    NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America) Incorporated in 1987

    NIC (Company name unknown) Found at the 2002 Indiana State show. Probably a private dealer but the coins do have a “serial” number of sorts

    NNCS (National Numismatic Certification Service) I know nothing about this service other than that it was reported to me to have been located in Marlboro, Massachusetts and produced a rectangular slab beginning in 1986

    NSCGS (New Standard Coin Grading Service) This company was originally DCGS (distinctive) but when they learned of Digital Coin Grading Service they decided to change their name first to CCGS and then apparently almost immediately to NSCGS

    NTC (NumisTrust Corporation) This company seems to have come into existence in May of 2001. (Formed May 1st) Owned by Rare Island Coins

    NUMEX (Numex&#61652image This appears to be yet another third party service based on a license from ACG for the shells. Dates of operation unknown, first seen June of 2002.

    Paramount (Redfield Dollars) After LaVere Redfield died in 1974 his hoard of over 400,000 silver dollars was purchased in Feb 1976 by Steve Markoff of A-Mark in a courtroom auction for 7.3 million dollars, the largest numismatic purchase ever up to that time. (Hardly a fair auction though as Markoff knew in detail what the hoard contained while the other bidders did not.) As part of the group chosen to market the dollars by A-Mark, Paramount had the dollars graded and sealed into 3 X 3 ½ inch holders. These come in three types. In addition Paramount also included some of their regular stock dollars and enclosed them in the same style holders but these do not refer to the Redfield collection.

    PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)

    PCI (Photo-Certified Coin Institute)

    PCS (Preferred Coin Grading Service) I have seen two slabs from this company and I am assuming that it is the same PCS that I have listed in the Miscellaneous section.

    PHOTO-SEAL Service begun by Richard Snow it was actually isn’t so much of a grading service for the coins as it is a confirmation service that examines the slab

    PNG (Professional Numismatic Guild) Shortly before ANACS came into existence the PNG began issuing Certificates of Authenticity (and grade?) upon request for coins valued at $200 or more.

    PNGL (Professional Numismatic Grading Laboratories) Have seen scans of five so far. This company appears to have been active in the mid to late eighties

    PPGS (Peoples Professional Grading Service) New service apparently begun in 2002

    RCGS (Rare Currency Grading Service) A new company that began operations in June of 2002. I have seen one example of their certificate.

    S&G (S & G Rare Coins of Florida) Not a true slabbing service. This company took advantage of a recent offer by ACG to slab any ones coins in a private label at the owners grade with no responsibility as to grade or authenticity.

    SEGS (Sovereign Entities Grading Service They started back in 1998. In late 2001 SEGS relocated in Chattanooga TN.

    SILVERTOWNE Certificate issued by Leon Hendrickson’s company in Winchester IN. Silvertowne did these in 1986 - 1988 but stopped after John Hunter left the firm

    TCGS (Twenty-first Century Grading Service) Begun in late 2001.

    TCTS (Tom’s Coins Technical Services) Owned by Tom’s Coins. The parent firm opened in 1975 and began slabbing coins, both on their own account and for others, in 1999. This was creating a conflict of interest so in November of 2000 TCTS stopped certifying coins for the general public

    TMM (The Merrick Mint) First seen in November of 2002 this is most likely yet another dealership merely slabbing their own coins to prevent mail order switching but the slabs are graded, serial numbered and barcoded.

    TULVING (Hannes Tulving) Private firm from Newport Beach CA.

    UNKNOWN. Was shown this certificate in May of 2002. I have no idea what the company was but I suspect it is related to FCS due to similarity in photo qulaity and layout.

    USGCO (United States Grading Company) Seen for the first time November 2000

    USGCS (U. S. Grading and Certification Service) Another old company, probably from the 1986 to 1989 era. Possibly associated somehow with the old Paramount Stamp and Coin company as all the pieces seen so far have been registered to them

    USRCCT (U S Rare Coin Certification & Trading Co Inc.) Well that has to be the longest name of any of the services. I have been told that this is a fairly new service but I have my reasons for believing that it is an older one

    USTI (United States Tangible Investment Corp) This slab, from the values printed on them, was apparently active at the height of the market in 1989. Website has not been updated since April 2000.

    WCG (World Class Grading) Originally a sports card grading firm, they saw a chance to cash in on the 9-11 disaster among other novelties. The company only slabs and “grades” colorized coins.

    WCGS (World Coin Guarantee Service) As of yet I have no idea when this company was in business or its location of operation.

    Webcoinage (Webcoinage.com) Not truly a slabbing service but rather a company which has gone to slabbing coins sent out as mail order purchases in order to prevent coin switching.


    Those are all extracted from the book. Since then I have also turned up.

    ACCGS American Coin Club Grading Service

    AGI American Grading Institute

    CCGS Canadian Currency Grading Service

    CCGS Capital Coin Grading Service

    CGI Currency Grading Institute

    CSA Coin Slab Authentications

    CSGI Coin & Stamp Grading Institute

    JNDA Japanese Numismatic Dealers Association

    MM Merrick Mint

    NNC National Numismatic Certifications

    PCC Premier Certified Coins

    PCG Professional Currency Grading

    PCGA Prestige Coin Grading Association

    PCGA Professional Coin Grading Association

    TMM The Morgan Mint

    TruGrade TruGrade

    SAGCE South African Gold Coin Exchange

    SDGS Silver Dollar Grading Service

    SGS Star Grading Service

    USGS United States Grading Service

    USNS Unite States Numismatic Service

    VSS Variety Slabbing Service

    WCCS World Coin Certification Services

    WMP company name unknown

    WWCS World Wide Coin Grading >>



    ttt
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,696 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In the above, does anybody remember was Accugrade founded as "Accugrade" and later changed to "ASA-Accugrade," or was it founded as "ASA-Accugrade" and abbvreviated to "Accugrade" and/or "ACG?"

    I understand that "ASA" stands for "Accugrade Sports Authentication." Did they have a separate division that did sports memorabilia, or did one group do everything?

    I am writing a story about grading, and wish to get my facts straight.

    Thanks,

    TD
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
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    MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    Let's not forget the slabbing company of our dear departed friend Frank!!!

    image
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

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    TPRCTPRC Posts: 3,747 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think I'm gonna be sick.

    Tom

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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,696 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Let's not forget the slabbing company of our dear departed friend Frank!!!

    image >>




    You always did have a taste for the finer things in life.........

    image
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
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    You may have overlooked SEGS and ICG. While not as popular as the top tier companies, both these companies are quite knowledgable and formidable in grading some U.S. Mint issues. I go even a bit farther and say that even today there is some real overlooked or disregarded significant values in some of their first generation holders.
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    astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>In the above, does anybody remember was Accugrade founded as "Accugrade" and later changed to "ASA-Accugrade," or was it founded as "ASA-Accugrade" and abbvreviated to "Accugrade" and/or "ACG?"

    I understand that "ASA" stands for "Accugrade Sports Authentication." Did they have a separate division that did sports memorabilia, or did one group do everything?

    I am writing a story about grading, and wish to get my facts straight.

    Thanks,

    TD >>

    Hi Tom-

    Please let us know when and where the story is published. Thanks.

    Lane
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
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    mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    Did someone ask about "grading" companies? Some of them were started in:



    image


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